Lord’s, London
India bounced back brilliantly in the second Test at Edgbaston, winning by a record 336-run margin their biggest away Test victory to date. With the five-match series now levelled at 1-1, the upcoming third Test at Lord’s is a potential turning point. Lord’s, often called the “Home of Cricket”, carries a rich legacy and India will look to build on their growing confidence at this venue.
Lord’s Pitch Report: Early Swing, Later Settling
PITCH FOR THE LORD’s TEST 🤯 [📸: Sandipan Banerjee] pic.twitter.com/1BB0B18Ctt
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 8, 2025
What the Surface Looks Like:
Based on the latest visuals and updates from Lord’s:
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The pitch has a generous grass covering, a clear signal that seamers will dominate early on.
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The wicket appears to be hard and green, offering good bounce and carry for fast bowlers on Days 1 and 2.
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As the match progresses, batting is expected to become easier, especially under sunshine.
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Spinners may get some assistance on Day 4 and Day 5 through wear and tear, but not much earlier.
Lord’s Slope Factor:
The Lord’s slope falling about 2.5 meters from one side of the ground to the other can:
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Aid seamers in creating natural drift and deviation.
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Trouble batters with the ball either shaping away or jagging in unexpectedly.
India’s Game Plan:
Seam Attack First: Exploit the Green Top
With conditions favourable to fast bowling, India must unleash a strong pace unit. Jasprit Bumrah, expected to return fully fit, will be central. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, who rattled England at Edgbaston with his disciplined line and movement, will complete the core trio.
India should:
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Bowl full and use the slope smartly.
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Attack the stumps and pads early with fielders in catching positions.
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Use short balls sparingly but tactically against aggressive English batters like Harry Brook and Ben Stokes.
Top-Order Resilience
England will come hard with the new ball. India’s batters must weather the storm:
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KL Rahul, in the form of his life, must play the new ball carefully, that’ll help the top order to make a steady and decent start.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal should trust his judgement and avoid early risk.
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Patience and smart leave technique will be crucial, especially in the first 30 overs.
Middle-Order Partnerships
India’s strength lies in their depth:
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Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and Karun Nair can counterattack when conditions flatten.
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Ravindra Jadeja remains key with bat and ball. His ability to absorb pressure and then accelerate gives India flexibility.
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Spin as Support, Not Strike
Spin will likely play a supporting role unless there’s dramatic turn on Day 5. Jadeja will bowl tight overs and look for any variable bounce or cracks to exploit.
India’s Probable Playing XI:
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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KL Rahul
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Karun Nair
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Shubman Gill (C)
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Rishabh Pant (WK)
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
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Washington Sundar
- Akash Deep
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Mohammed Siraj
- Jasprit Bumrah
Key Match Focus Areas:
| Focus Area | India’s Plan |
|---|---|
| New Ball Bowling | Bumrah-Siraj-Akash to bowl full and use slope effectively |
| Batting vs Swing | Top order to play late, respect conditions, avoid risky drives early |
| Counterattack | Pant and Jadeja to counterpunch in sessions 2 & 3 |
| England Short Ball | Controlled pull/hook shots, don’t fall into trap |
| Bowling Discipline | Don’t release pressure with wides or short balls outside off |
India’s roadmap to victory at Lord’s lies in mastering the swing conditions early, building partnerships when batting, and sustaining pressure with the ball. With Bumrah’s return, Gill’s leadership, and solid recent form, India has the tools to pull off a famous win.
But Lord’s demands more than skill it requires strategy, discipline, and composure under pressure. If India sticks to their strengths and adapts quickly to the slope and seam, they can walk away with a 2-1 series lead and a place in the history books.
